The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

How to make fresh yeast (cake yeast)

jc's picture
jc

How to make fresh yeast (cake yeast)

Does anyone know how to make fresh yeast (cake yeast)?

ehanner's picture
ehanner

I set out today to find a local source for fresh yeast. A number of people have convinced me that it does make a difference so why not give it a try. The trick is to find a bakery that uses it that will sell it to me at a reasonable price. Here in Milwaukee (the home of Lesaffre Yeast Corporation, ) where the largest part of the fresh yeast used in North America is made, You wouldn't think it would be hard to find a block of yeast. 100 pounds, no problem if it's a regular order lol. The sales person that handles the Midwest suggested calling bakeries or pizza joints who tend to like the results from fresh.

Eventually I found a pizza place in a small town near by that was happy to sell me a 1 pound brick for $2.00 The 2 Oz cubes are $3.00 in the grocery stores. He had just gotten the weeks fresh supply and gave me one of the new bricks. I can't wait to try it out and make the conversion totally to fresh.

With proper storage, I hear the shelf life can be well over 2 Months so I'm not worried about spoilage. If I hadn't been able to find it locally, my next best answer was to order it from NY Bakers who also sells it reasonably and ships in a cold pack.

 

Eric

Mini Oven's picture
Mini Oven

I remember reading an old cookbook.  I think ...late 1800's  had recipes on making homemade yeast and cakes.  Many recipes feed and then bottled the yeast.   Here is a listing of old cookbooks and the pages can be read.  I did see one for yeast cakes somewhere.   I think Indiana or Michigan.   Have fun!

http://www.digitalbookindex.com/_search/search010cookingfoodhistoricala.asp

Don't get lost...

Mini

Example:  Eustis, Celestine    Cooking In Old Creole Days.         I got lost here for hours.

KenK's picture
KenK

There is a yeast plant in Headland Alabama that we go by on the way to the beach every summer.   It gives off a nearly unbearable stench.

flourgirl51's picture
flourgirl51

When I worked in a bakery we used to freeze it and it kept for a long time frozen.

Darth Lefty's picture
Darth Lefty

You can culture yeast with homebrew techniques.

http://www.realbeer.com/spencer/yeast-culturing.html